CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 2:4 I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/28_Hos_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 2:4 - Israel's Adultery Rebuked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hosea/2-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hosea/2-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hosea/">Hosea</a> > <a href="/hosea/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hosea/2-3.htm" title="Hosea 2:3">◄</a> Hosea 2:4 <a href="/hosea/2-5.htm" title="Hosea 2:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hosea/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hosea/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will not show my love to her children, because they are the children of adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And I will not love her children, for they were conceived in prostitution.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Upon her children also I will have no mercy, because they are children of whoredom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they <i>be</i> the children of whoredoms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I will not have mercy on her children, For they <i>are</i> the children of harlotry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Also, I will take no pity on her children, Because they are children of infidelity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Also, I will have no compassion on her children, Because they are children of harlotry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Also, I will have no compassion on her children, Because they are children of harlotry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Also, I will have no compassion on her children Because they are children of harlotry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Also, I will have no mercy on her children, Because they are the children of prostitution.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will have no compassion on her children because they are the children of promiscuity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will have no compassion on her children because they are the children of promiscuity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yea, upon her children will I have no mercy; for they are children of whoredom;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You children are the result of her unfaithfulness, and I'll show you no pity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yea, upon her children will I have no mercy; for they be children of whoredom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I won't love her children, because they are children of a prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Furthermore, I'll not show pity on her children, since they are children of prostitution.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will have no pity on her children, because they are children conceived in adultery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, on her children I will have no mercy; for they are children of unfaithfulness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they are the children of lewdness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, on her children I will have no mercy, for they are children of unfaithfulness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And her sons I do not pity, "" For they [are] sons of whoredoms,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And her sons I do not pity, For sons of whoredoms are they,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And her sons I will not compassionate, for they are the sons of fornications.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy on her children: for they are the children of fornications. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy on her sons, for they are the sons of fornications.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will have no pity on her children, for they are children of prostitution. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Upon her children also I will have no pity, because they are children of whoredom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they are the children of whoredoms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And upon her children I shall not show compassion because they are children of a whore<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I will not have compassion upon her children; For they are children of harlotry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they are children of fornication.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=173" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hosea/2.htm">Israel's Adultery Rebuked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I will have no</a> <a href="/hebrew/7355.htm" title="7355: ’ă·ra·ḥêm (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To love, have compassion. A primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate.">compassion</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·ne·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">on her children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">are the children</a> <a href="/hebrew/2183.htm" title="2183: zə·nū·nîm (N-mp) -- Fornication. From zanah; adultery; figuratively, idolatry.">of adultery.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20-21</a></span><br />You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? / You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-8.htm">Jeremiah 3:8-9</a></span><br />She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. / Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-1.htm">Isaiah 50:1</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-19.htm">Deuteronomy 32:19-20</a></span><br />When the LORD saw this, He rejected them, provoked to anger by His sons and daughters. / He said: “I will hide My face from them; I will see what will be their end. For they are a perverse generation—children of unfaithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a></span><br />Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-30.htm">Jeremiah 2:30</a></span><br />“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Lamentations 4:3-4</a></span><br />Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like an ostrich in the wilderness. / The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3-5</a></span><br />“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Ezekiel 16:36</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-39.htm">Matthew 12:39</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a></span><br />You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-2</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">1 Corinthians 6:15-16</a></span><br />Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! / Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Galatians 4:27</a></span><br />For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I will not have mercy on her children; for they be the children of prostitutions.</p><p class="hdg">I will not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/1-6.htm">Hosea 1:6</a></b></br> And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And <i>God</i> said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></b></br> When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, <i>and</i> set them on fire: for it <i>is</i> a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/13-14.htm">Jeremiah 13:14</a></b></br> And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.</p><p class="hdg">they be.</p><p class="hdg">children of.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a></b></br> The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, <i>departing</i> from the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/9-22.htm">2 Kings 9:22</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, <i>Is it</i> peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts <i>are so</i> many?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3</a></b></br> But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/hosea/1-11.htm">Children</a> <a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/daniel/11-18.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/2-1.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Unfaithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Whoredoms</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/hosea/3-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hosea/2-10.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Show</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Unfaithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/4-9.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Whoredoms</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/2-1.htm">The idolatry of the people.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/2-6.htm">God's judgments against them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/2-14.htm">His promises of reconciliation with them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will have no compassion on her children</b><br>This phrase reflects God's judgment and the withdrawal of His mercy due to Israel's unfaithfulness. In the context of Hosea, the prophet's marriage to Gomer symbolizes God's relationship with Israel. The children represent the consequences of Israel's spiritual adultery. Biblically, compassion is a key attribute of God (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>), but here, His justice necessitates a temporary withholding of mercy. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings and curses are contingent on obedience (Deuteronomy 28). The lack of compassion is not permanent, as God's ultimate plan is restoration (<a href="/hosea/2-14.htm">Hosea 2:14-23</a>).<p><b>because they are the children of adultery</b><br>This phrase underscores the spiritual infidelity of Israel, likened to adultery. In the ancient Near Eastern context, adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death (<a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a>). Spiritually, Israel's idolatry is seen as breaking the covenant with God, akin to marital unfaithfulness. The children symbolize the fruit of this unfaithfulness, indicating that the nation has produced outcomes contrary to God's desires. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic literature, where idolatry is equated with adultery (<a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6-10</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/16.htm">Ezekiel 16</a>). Theologically, this points to the need for repentance and the hope of redemption through Christ, who restores the broken relationship between God and His people (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a></b><br>A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver a message of judgment and redemption. His life and marriage serve as a symbolic representation of God's relationship with Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/gomer.htm">Gomer</a></b><br>Hosea's wife, whose unfaithfulness symbolizes Israel's spiritual adultery through idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/children_of_gomer.htm">Children of Gomer</a></b><br>Represent the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness. <a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4</a> specifically refers to them as a symbol of the nation's spiritual state.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, often depicted as an unfaithful spouse to God, engaging in idolatry and breaking the covenant.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The faithful husband in the metaphor, representing His steadfast love and desire for Israel's repentance and return.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_adultery.htm">Understanding Spiritual Adultery</a></b><br><a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4</a> highlights the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness. Just as Gomer's actions affected her children, our spiritual choices impact those around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_righteous_judgment.htm">God's Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>The verse underscores that God's judgment is just and stems from His holiness. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Despite the harshness of judgment, the overarching message of Hosea is one of hope and redemption. God desires repentance and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impact_of_sin_on_community.htm">Impact of Sin on Community</a></b><br>The verse illustrates how personal sin can have communal consequences, affecting families and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_relationships.htm">Faithfulness in Relationships</a></b><br>The marriage metaphor encourages believers to reflect on their faithfulness to God and others, emphasizing integrity and commitment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_tell_hosea_to_marry_a_harlot.htm">Why did God instruct Hosea to marry a prostitute?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_arminianism's_five_points.htm">How does Hosea illustrate God's love and Israel's unfaithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/hosea_5_7__proof_of_israel's_unfaithfulness.htm">Hosea 5:7 – What proof exists that Israel literally bore “illegitimate children” due to religious unfaithfulness rather than political alliances? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_hosea_4_1-3's_land_effects.htm">Hosea 4:1-3: Is there any archaeological or historical evidence supporting the catastrophic effects on the land described here?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Her children.--</span>The children are like their mother: not only are they born of doubtful parentage, but are personally defiled. Not only is idolatry enshrined in the national sanctuary and the royal palace, but the people love to have it so. They endorse the degradation of their mother.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.</span> The connection of this verse is carried on from the preceding, viz. <span class="accented">and lest I will not have mercy upon her children</span>. An exceedingly apt illustration of this verse is given by Jerome. It is to this effect: When the children of Israel were brought out of Egypt, the parents perished in the wilderness; but the children of those who had thus perished, and whose caresses had thus fallen in the wilderness, were spared and permitted to enter the land of promise. Now, however, the case is different, and the punishment aggravated. The adulterous parent perishes, and the children of that parent perish also. Further, the reason is assigned in the concluding clause. The children proved themselves no better than the mother that bore them; they were the worthless progeny of a worthless parent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I will have no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">compassion</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲרַחֵ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ra·ḥêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7355.htm">Strong's 7355: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fondle, to love, to compassionate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on her children</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנֶ֖יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ne·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵֽמָּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are the children</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of adultery.</span><br /><span class="heb">זְנוּנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(zə·nū·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2183.htm">Strong's 2183: </a> </span><span class="str2">Adultery, idolatry</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 2:4 Indeed on her children I will have (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>